Valve trim

Abstract

A fluid flow control device include a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. A valve trim is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the valve body. The valve trim includes a restrictor having a wall and a plurality of passages extending through the wall. A diffuser is coupled to the restrictor and including a porous body. The porous body is adjacent to the plurality of passages of the restrictor.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A fluid flow control device comprising:
 a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet; and 
 a valve trim at least partially disposed in the passageway of the valve body, the valve trim comprising: 
 a restrictor having a wall and a plurality of passages extending through the wall; and 
 a diffuser coupled to the restrictor and including a porous body, the porous body adjacent to the plurality of passages of the restrictor; 
 wherein the porous body comprises a lattice structure having a three-dimensional array of connected structural elements and comprises a first surface disposed adjacent the restrictor and a second surface spaced outwardly away from the first surface; 
 the porous body comprising a plurality of channels and a plurality of pathways, each of the pathways having an exit opening and each of the channels arranged to exit the diffuser, each exit opening and corresponding pathway of the diffuser being substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of passages of the restrictor; 
 each of the plurality of passages of the restrictor having an exit opening substantially aligned with and in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the pathways of the diffuser: 
 whereby a first portion of a fluid flow exits the restrictor via one of the plurality of passages and flows through the diffuser via the exit opening of a corresponding one of the pathways, and a second portion of the fluid flow exits the restrictor through the diffuser via one or more of the plurality of channels of the diffuser. 
 
     
     
       2. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein an average diameter of the plurality of pathways of the diffuser is different than an average diameter of the plurality of passages of the restrictor. 
     
     
       3. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein an average diameter of the plurality of pathways is greater than an average diameter of the plurality of passages. 
     
     
       4. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pathways of the diffuser tapers between a first surface adjacent the restrictor and the second surface spaced from the restrictor. 
     
     
       5. The control device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of pathways tapers in a direction from the first surface to the second surface. 
     
     
       6. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the restrictor is a portion of a valve cage, the valve cage including the wall defining a solid portion adjacent to the restrictor. 
     
     
       7. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is formed of a plurality of triply periodic surfaces. 
     
     
       8. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is fixedly attached to the restrictor. 
     
     
       9. The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is integrally formed with the restrictor.